Campers will also appreciate the spacious 14-square-foot ExoFly vestibule, which not only protects your gear from rough weather but also adds some elbow room when open. Other details include a 30-denier polyurethane nylon floor; 40 square feet of sleeping space; a rear scoop vent that aids air circulation; a scalloped tail that keeps the tent body taut; and a pair of airbeams for easy inflation. The Morpho AR measures 112 by 42 by 64 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.7 pounds packed.

Air-Supported Technology The Morpho AR offers a pressurized air system that mimics the technology used to inflate basketballs, car tires, and even spacesuits. The system is built around a pair of airbeams, with a puncture-resistant sailcloth shell on the exterior and polyurethane bladders on the interior. In the event of a puncture--an unusual event during ordinary use, but accidents do happen--the tent comes with an easy-to-install spare bladder.

The Morpho AR's doors seal up tightly for impenetrable storm protection.

When properly inflated, NEMO's airbeams are considerably stronger than traditional aluminum tent poles. In one test, the Morpho airbeam withstood more than twice the downward force of a standard tent pole. In addition, the airbeam springs back into shape even after you bend it all the way to the ground. More significantly from a backpacker's perspective, NEMO's AST is capable of withstanding a wide range of temperatures. At its recommended inflation pressure of 7 psi, the Morpho AR withstands dramatic temperature swings between freezing (32 degrees F) and searing heat (120 degrees F), with only a minor change in air pressure (up to 8.2 psi)--not even close to the 20 psi minimum burst pressure. If you start in intense heat (120 degrees F) and drop to the freezing point, the pressure drops to 5.9 psi, a small enough difference that you probably won't even notice.

Finally, all AST tents include an integrated pump that takes the 1 or 2 psi that you can blow with your lungs and amplifies it to the 7 to 9 psi you need to adequately inflate a NEMO airbeam. All you have to do is blow into the peanut-shaped belly of the pump and squeeze or step on the belly. The pump's internal valves will then send the air out of the pump and into the tent. It's remarkably easy and reliable, making this tent a great choice for backpackers of all skill levels. As a bonus, the Morpho AR comes with a NEMOid foot pump that makes inflation even easier.

Key Features:

The ExoFly vestibule offers up to 14 square feet of total space.

• Sleeps: Two people
• Seasons: Three
• Minimum weight: 4.8 pounds (2.17 kg)
• Packed weight: 5.7 pounds (2.58 kg)
• Features NEMO AirSupported Technology, eliminating the need for aluminum poles
• 3.5-inch diameter airbeams
• Floor dimensions: 112 by 64 inches (285 x 163 cm)
• Interior height: 42 inches (107 cm)
• Floor area: 40 square feet (3.71 square meters)
• Vestibule area: 14 square feet (1.31 square meters)
• Packed size: 14 by 7 inches (36 x 18 cm)
• Dry bag style stuff stack
• Sets up in less than one minute
• Nemoid foot pump included
• ExoFly style front canopy retracts to create a 14 square foot vestibule
• Optional Pawprint inner floor liner (available separately) protects the floor and is machine washable

About NEMO
NEMO Equipment, Inc. is a small company located in southern New Hampshire with a passion for design and innovation. The company was founded in 2002 by Cam Brensinger, who had been working with a joint team at NASA and MIT to design the next generation of spacesuits. Cam is a committed rock and ice climber with a talent for inventing new technology.

After several years of development behind closed doors in their studio in New Hampshire, NEMO unveiled its first line of tents and shelters in 2005. This product line introduced several patent pending technologies including NEMO's AirSupported Technology. AST is a system of low-pressure inflatable ribs and lightweight pumps which replace the aluminum poles traditionally used in tents. These inflatable ribs are stronger than standard aluminum poles, faster and easier to set up, easier to repair, and more compact.

NEMO's bold steps forward in tent and shelter design earned the company much attention and accolades from the start. In 2005, one of their AirSupported tents was named among the 100 best inventions of the year by TIME and Popular Science magazines. That same year, the company also won the highest award for innovation in the outdoor sporting goods industry, the ISPO BrandNew award in Munich, Germany. In each subsequent year since 2005, NEMO has added new technology to its line and continued to refine their designs. NEMO tents have since won awards and recognition from Rock & Ice, Climbing, Backpacker and many other magazines. The company has a strong team of ambassadors, including many elite mountaineers and adventure racers. NEMO tents have been to every corner of the planet and are used, not only by passionate outdoor adventurers, but also by elite US Special Forces.

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes, Tunnels and Sacks
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.